Sources: Bills have decisions to make on two key players

[kanatablues]

Somewhat interesting about the roster info but otherwise ... meh. Not really a decision, both are important parts of the team going forwards as yet.

Sources: Bills have decisions to make on two key players
by AdamCaplan

The Buffalo Bills have decisions to make on two key players once the lockout is over.

Starting WR Lee Evans, who has been one of the NFL’s best deep threats since being selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Bills, is due a $1.5 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the new league year, a source confirmed. Evans, 30, is due $3.275 million in base salary for 2011.

It would seem that paying Evans his roster bonus is a no-brainer considering he participated in roughly 77 percent of the offensive snaps, but Bills head coach Chan Gailey would like to see more versatility to Evans’ game.

“I think we have to wait and see how it falls. Early in the year it was the same as I watched on film the year before, people doubling Lee to take him out of the game. People saw the threat and they were going to make sure Lee didn’t beat them,” Gailey said during last week’s NFL owners meetings. “As the year went on, that started to balance up and not swing his way after about mid-season. He had a couple of games that were good. But I’m hoping that we can really get Lee consistent running routes and consistent at doing a lot of things. He’s been more of a deep threat. I’ve got to get him to do a better job of becoming an underneath threat. I’ve got to do a better job of that.”

Starting DE Dwan Edwards, who signed a four-year, $16.95 million deal with the Bills in 2010, is due a $1.2 million roster bonus on the third day of the new league year, a source confirmed.

After the Bills veteran DL Marcus Stroud was released earlier this year, it would seem like a lock that Edwards would remain with the team for the second year of his deal. And Bills have little depth behind

[stuvian]

I think both will stay

[New Ro's Greatest]

We have to keep these two. We have too many holes already. GO BILLS

[JinxedBill]

Both should stay. No one currently on the roster can come in and replace Evans right now although I think that's what they are molding Easley to do.

If they do cut or trade Evans #3 looks a whole lot different. No way we let Edwards go, we need the depth...

[jrober38]

We should have traded Lee Evans two years ago...

[BillsFan]

I just sit there sometimes while watching a game and have to wonder what if Lee Evans had not played with over 5 plus QBs?

[TW99]

When your #1 WR averages 3 catches per game, there is a problem. He needs a new home, get a 3rd for him when you can and let the young guys develop.

[jrober38]

When your #1 WR averages 3 catches per game, there is a problem. He needs a new home, get a 3rd for him when you can and let the young guys develop.

At this stage I doubt Evans is worth a 3rd.

Like I said, we should have traded him two years ago when we could have potentially got a 2nd rounder plus additional compensation for him.

[BillsFan]

Man 5 plus QBs

[jIM_Ohio]

Evans is worth more than a third. Not sure how much more (maybe a 3rd this year AND a 4th next year)...

Evans cannot be replaced by a third round pick. He cannot be replaced by anyone on this roster. Did you see the receiving corps the last 2-3 games with Lee playing? If that is what playing without Evans looks like, then either draft a receiver high (1st or 2nd round), or keep Evans around until a better option emerges.

You do not improve the team by getting rid of starters.

[vegasloveforthebills]

Edwards is a virtual lock to stay

Evans, at roughly 4 million shoudl stay, not alot, even for a #2-#3 reciever nowadays. But, after the CBA is finished, if some team offered me a good deal, I would take it. But I would let the offers come to me, I wouldnt go out looking for offers

[havoc_84]

Evans is worth more than a third. Not sure how much more (maybe a 3rd this year AND a 4th next year)...

Evans cannot be replaced by a third round pick. He cannot be replaced by anyone on this roster. Did you see the receiving corps the last 2-3 games with Lee playing? If that is what playing without Evans looks like, then either draft a receiver high (1st or 2nd round), or keep Evans around until a better option emerges.

You do not improve the team by getting rid of starters.

I find myself making this point all the time. Even if a starter is mediocre you aren't going to get better cutting/losing 3-4 starters per offseason and replacing them with rookies/retreads. The way to get better is retain homegrown talent and continually add new players, these new players can improve or complement the existing talent.

[jrober38]

Evans is worth more than a third. Not sure how much more (maybe a 3rd this year AND a 4th next year)...

Evans cannot be replaced by a third round pick. He cannot be replaced by anyone on this roster. Did you see the receiving corps the last 2-3 games with Lee playing? If that is what playing without Evans looks like, then either draft a receiver high (1st or 2nd round), or keep Evans around until a better option emerges.

You do not improve the team by getting rid of starters.

Anquan Boldin and the Cardinals 5th round pick were traded for the Ravens 3rd and 4th round picks.

Anquan Boldin > Lee Evans

My guess is we'd get a 4th rounder at best, and maybe a conditional pick in the 2012 draft.

[havoc_84]

Edwards is a virtual lock to stay

Evans, at roughly 4 million shoudl stay, not alot, even for a #2-#3 reciever nowadays. But, after the CBA is finished, if some team offered me a good deal, I would take it. But I would let the offers come to me, I wouldnt go out looking for offers

Evans is a bargain at 4 million, my goodness the Bills were paying Josh Reed about $3 million a year if I can recall (which is avg. starting WR money I think).

[intimidatortj]

The Bills have been pretty upfront about who they are looking at in the draft, who they are bringing in for private visits, and it is pretty easy to follow which draft days they have or are attending.

No Wide Receivers are mentioned in any of these activities, so far. I think there is virtually no chance they draft a Wide Receiver before the 5th/6th round, and even then it would be surprising.

Lee Evans ain't going anywhere. ...... Now, we will see how much the ball gets thrown his way, but that is a different story.

[LawFirm12]

Evans is worth more than a third. Not sure how much more (maybe a 3rd this year AND a 4th next year)...

Evans cannot be replaced by a third round pick. He cannot be replaced by anyone on this roster. Did you see the receiving corps the last 2-3 games with Lee playing? If that is what playing without Evans looks like, then either draft a receiver high (1st or 2nd round), or keep Evans around until a better option emerges.

You do not improve the team by getting rid of starters.

First bolded comment, I disagree. Lee was outperformed by a 7th round pick last year. He has declined to the point where he is average at best. And I don't see the Bills getting a 3rd round pick for him. They will want a lot and nobody in the league will be willing to give that to a 30 year old declining receiver with mediocre stats in his career.

Second bolded comment, I completely agree. I think Evans stays. I hope he has a better year (assuming there is one). I would also like to see what Easley has in him.

[TW99]

Evans is a bargain at 4 million, my goodness the Bills were paying Josh Reed about $3 million a year if I can recall (which is avg. starting WR money I think).

At 3 catches a game he isn't.

[havoc_84]

At 3 catches a game he isn't.

I'm still curious to see what he can do with steady qb play and a second year in Chan's system. I'll also take his three catchs/game if he can stretch the field and put up over 17 yards per catch, which he's capible of.

[kanatablues]

The Bills have been pretty upfront about who they are looking at in the draft, who they are bringing in for private visits, and it is pretty easy to follow which draft days they have or are attending.

No Wide Receivers are mentioned in any of these activities, so far. I think there is virtually no chance they draft a Wide Receiver before the 5th/6th round, and even then it would be surprising.

Lee Evans ain't going anywhere. ...... Now, we will see how much the ball gets thrown his way, but that is a different story.

Good point ...

Buffalo Bills - Private Workout Schedule

1. Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (3/15).
2. Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller (3/16).
3. LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (3/17).
4. Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (3/?).
5. *UNLV guard/center John Giannonito (3/26).
6. *UNLV guard/tackle Matt Murphy (3/26).
7. Auburn quarterback Cam Newton (3/28).
8. Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (3/?).
9. *Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed (?/?).
10. North Carolina linebacker Quan Sturdivant (?/?).
11. LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson (?/?).
12. Georgia defensive end Justin Houston (?/?).
13. California defensive end Cameron Jordan (?/?).
14. Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers (?/?).
15. Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley (?/?).
16. Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert (?/?).
17. Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder (?/?).

[TW99]

I'm still curious to see what he can do with steady qb play and a second year in Chan's system. I'll also take his three catchs/game if he can stretch the field and put up over 17 yards per catch, which he's capible of.

Oh I agree, this offense needs a weapon like that. I just have heard too often here he's "double teamed" and thats why he doesn't have better numbers. You don't hear that about any other WR in the league.